PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS AN EXPERIENCE LTC MICHAEL M MANGAHAS NC

SCOPE Brief Background Area of Operation Concept of Operation Roles and Responsibilities Health Challenges Lessons Learned

HISTORY OF UNDOF Syria Israel Jordan Saudi Arabia Egypt 1973 October War 06 – 24 Oct 1973 Syria and Israel signed a Ceasefire Agreement 31 May 1974 Establishment of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) per UN Security Council Resolution # 350 Philippine Government sent troops to Golan Heights in support to UNDOF’s mission 22 October 2009 Syria BRIEF BACKGROUND Golan Heights AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION Israel Jordan ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Sinai SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT Saudi Arabia CHALLENGES Egypt LESSONS LEARNED

N TOPOGRAPHY BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION B - Line Mt Hermon 2814m BRIEF BACKGROUND SYRIA AREA OF OPERATION LEBANON A - Line CONCEPT OF OPERATION Quinetra 1000m JORDAN RIVER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OCCUPIED GOLAN SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED Lake Tiberias -200m

AREA OF SEPARATION N A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND LEBANON A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND CAMP FAOUAR CAMP ZIOUANI AREA OF OPERATION AREA OF SEPARATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION TRUCE LINE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED JORDAN

AREA OF SEPARATION N A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND LEBANON A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED JORDAN 6

AREA OF SEPARATION N A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND LEBANON A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION CAMP ZIOUANI CAMP FAOUAR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED JORDAN 7 7

AREA OF SEPARATION N B - line A - line BRIEF BACKGROUND LEBANON B - line A - line BRIEF BACKGROUND NEPALESE BATTALION AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY AUSTRIAN BATTALION AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY AREA OF OPERATION POSITION 86 CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES PHILIPPINE BATTALION AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LEGEND 21 POSITIONS 10 OUTPOSTS LESSONS LEARNED JORDAN

AREA OF LIMITATION N 25 Km 25 Km A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND LEBANON A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION AOL 4000 sq km ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT 25 Km 25 Km CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED JORDAN

AREA OF LIMITATION N A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND LEBANON A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION 10 Km 10 Km CONCEPT OF OPERATION 0 TO 10 KM ZONE 6000 troops 75 tanks 36 artillery pieces No missiles ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED JORDAN

AREA OF LIMITATION N A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND LEBANON A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION 10 Km 10 Km CONCEPT OF OPERATION 10 to 20 Km 10 to 20 Km ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT 10 TO 20 KM ZONE No limit on troops 450 tanks 162 artillery pieces No missiles CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED JORDAN

AREA OF LIMITATION N A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND LEBANON A - line B - line BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION 10 Km 10 Km CONCEPT OF OPERATION 10 to 20 Km 10 to 20 Km ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 20 to 25 Km 20 to 25 Km SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES 20 TO 25 KM ZONE No limit on troops, tanks, and artillery No missiles LESSONS LEARNED JORDAN

UNDOF MANDATE BRIEF BACKGROUND Preserve the credible presence of UN in Golan Heights and use its best efforts to maintain the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

MISSION OF THE PHILIPPINE BATTALION BRIEF BACKGROUND PHILBATT conducts peacekeeping operations in the Southern half of the Area of Separation (AOS) in order to maintain peace and stability, and to ensure compliance of the involved countries to the ceasefire agreement AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

MISSION OF THE MEDICAL TEAM BRIEF BACKGROUND Support the health care needs of the Phil Battalion during the conduct of Peacekeeping Operations . AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

TYPES OF OPERATION BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION Static Operation Mobile Operation Night Operation AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

STATIC OPERATION Observing from OP 55 OGG Observing from Pos 60

COMPOSITION OF THE MEDICAL TEAMS LEBANON B - line A - line BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION 1 Nurse 1 Dr; 1 Nurse CONCEPT OF OPERATION PHILIPPINE BATTALION AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 3 Drs; 2 Nurses SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LEGEND CP ZIOUANI PH COMPANYS LESSONS LEARNED JORDAN

SIX SPECIFIED TASKS OF THE MEDICAL SUPPORT BRIEF BACKGROUND Maintenance of health and the prevention of diseases 2. Treatment and evacuation of the sick and wounded 3. Medical recording and reporting 4. Resupply of medical material 5. Coordination of medical resources 6. Training of medical and non- medical personnel AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

SIX SPECIFIED TASKS OF THE MEDICAL SUPPORT BRIEF BACKGROUND Maintenance of health and the prevention of disease AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT Weight & BP Monitoring MHPSS CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED Hygiene, Sanitation & Food Safety Plan TI &E

SIX SPECIFIED TASKS OF THE MEDICAL SUPPORT BRIEF BACKGROUND 2. Treatment and evacuation of the sick and wounded AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

SIX SPECIFIED TASKS OF THE MEDICAL SUPPORT BRIEF BACKGROUND 3. Medical recording and reporting AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

SIX SPECIFIED TASKS OF THE MEDICAL SUPPORT BRIEF BACKGROUND 4. Resupply of medical material AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

SIX SPECIFIED TASKS OF THE MEDICAL SUPPORT 5. Coordination of medical resources BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

SIX SPECIFIED TASKS OF THE MEDICAL SUPPORT 6. Training of medical and non- medical personnel BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

Medical Team Assistance BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION Release of abducted troops Foot Marches ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT Mine Clearing CHALLENGES Reaction Group Drills Crossing of PHILBATT troops post Stand-off LESSONS LEARNED

Prevalent Cases Treated in Position 80 (Syria) BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

CHALLENGES Restriction of Movements Road Blocks / Barricades Check Points by Anti-Government Armed Elements Sporadic Bombings Working Beyond the UNDOF Mandate Humanitarian Assistance is not part of the UNDOF Mandate No available Treatment facilities in the AOR except for UN positions BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The impending unrest in the Bravo side has proven to be the main cause of the mission’s numerous challenges. The Philippine Battalion shouldered most of the bulk of responsibility in the orchestration of peacekeeping operations in the southern part of the Golan Heights. The spiraling violence from Syria’s internal conflict has greatly impacted on the medical care requirements of the troops. The Challenges that the medical staff of 7PCGH during their tour of duty in the Golan Heights are enumerated as follows: Road Blocks or barricades, check points and sporadic episodes of shootings within the mission area in the Bravo side have caused the limitations and restrictions of movements among the troops. The effect of this is delays in evacuation of battle casualties and sick personnel from basic level hospital to a higher echelon of care (Bravo to Alpha side) as it involves detailed coordination to higher headquarters since security is also given utmost consideration. Likewise it has also affected the deployment of Medical Personnel to the different Positions. The restriction of movement has caused the re-organization of the actual deployment plan of the medical personnel wherein Medical Assistants are reassigned to platoon level positions. Working beyond the UNDOF mandate It is clearly stipulated in the mandate that UNDOF has no humanitarian obligations to the locals of both host countries. But with the present situation wherein hospitals in Syria has been destroyed as a result to its on-going internal conflict, the UNDOF Force Commander directed Medical Staff of position 80 to cater to local civilians in the area. The patient census has then dramatically increased averaging at 80-110 patients per day in the months of April and May and has dropped down to 40-60 patients per day in the months of June to August (Ramadan period). Medical activities include treatment and management of disease conditions starting from minor to acute and emergency cases. The present health care set-up of PhilBatt Medical Center in Position 80 was not designed to address clients in voluminous numbers, hence, the ingenuity, competence and prudency of the medical staff in terms of patient treatment and care as well as management of meager supplies under a heightened security risk condition was really put to test. Moreover, the non-availability of medicines and supplies to provide for the need of sudden influx of patients has add-up to the already seething problem. Much that the PhilBatt Medical personnel is willing to render their one hundred percent service regardless of the patient’s race, creed or religion however, they are still caught in a dilemma regarding the issue of impartiality as well working beyond the written mandate and to follow the task at hand as ordered by the Force Commander. SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

CHALLENGES Escalating Number of Patients, Diminishing Medical Supplies and Medicines Medical Supplies and Medicines are intended for troops not the locals Language Barrier Syria is largely Arabic speaking country BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The impending unrest in the Bravo side has proven to be the main cause of the mission’s numerous challenges. The Philippine Battalion shouldered most of the bulk of responsibility in the orchestration of peacekeeping operations in the southern part of the Golan Heights. The spiraling violence from Syria’s internal conflict has greatly impacted on the medical care requirements of the troops. The Challenges that the medical staff of 7PCGH during their tour of duty in the Golan Heights are enumerated as follows: Road Blocks or barricades, check points and sporadic episodes of shootings within the mission area in the Bravo side have caused the limitations and restrictions of movements among the troops. The effect of this is delays in evacuation of battle casualties and sick personnel from basic level hospital to a higher echelon of care (Bravo to Alpha side) as it involves detailed coordination to higher headquarters since security is also given utmost consideration. Likewise it has also affected the deployment of Medical Personnel to the different Positions. The restriction of movement has caused the re-organization of the actual deployment plan of the medical personnel wherein Medical Assistants are reassigned to platoon level positions. Working beyond the UNDOF mandate It is clearly stipulated in the mandate that UNDOF has no humanitarian obligations to the locals of both host countries. But with the present situation wherein hospitals in Syria has been destroyed as a result to its on-going internal conflict, the UNDOF Force Commander directed Medical Staff of position 80 to cater to local civilians in the area. The patient census has then dramatically increased averaging at 80-110 patients per day in the months of April and May and has dropped down to 40-60 patients per day in the months of June to August (Ramadan period). Medical activities include treatment and management of disease conditions starting from minor to acute and emergency cases. The present health care set-up of PhilBatt Medical Center in Position 80 was not designed to address clients in voluminous numbers, hence, the ingenuity, competence and prudency of the medical staff in terms of patient treatment and care as well as management of meager supplies under a heightened security risk condition was really put to test. Moreover, the non-availability of medicines and supplies to provide for the need of sudden influx of patients has add-up to the already seething problem. Much that the PhilBatt Medical personnel is willing to render their one hundred percent service regardless of the patient’s race, creed or religion however, they are still caught in a dilemma regarding the issue of impartiality as well working beyond the written mandate and to follow the task at hand as ordered by the Force Commander. SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

CHALLENGES Impending Hostilities among Syrian Locals Due to the ongoing conflict, food and fuel supplies in the bravo side became scarce UN encampments are considered as good sources of fuel and food supplies One nurse was held captive BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The impending unrest in the Bravo side has proven to be the main cause of the mission’s numerous challenges. The Philippine Battalion shouldered most of the bulk of responsibility in the orchestration of peacekeeping operations in the southern part of the Golan Heights. The spiraling violence from Syria’s internal conflict has greatly impacted on the medical care requirements of the troops. The Challenges that the medical staff of 7PCGH during their tour of duty in the Golan Heights are enumerated as follows: Road Blocks or barricades, check points and sporadic episodes of shootings within the mission area in the Bravo side have caused the limitations and restrictions of movements among the troops. The effect of this is delays in evacuation of battle casualties and sick personnel from basic level hospital to a higher echelon of care (Bravo to Alpha side) as it involves detailed coordination to higher headquarters since security is also given utmost consideration. Likewise it has also affected the deployment of Medical Personnel to the different Positions. The restriction of movement has caused the re-organization of the actual deployment plan of the medical personnel wherein Medical Assistants are reassigned to platoon level positions. Working beyond the UNDOF mandate It is clearly stipulated in the mandate that UNDOF has no humanitarian obligations to the locals of both host countries. But with the present situation wherein hospitals in Syria has been destroyed as a result to its on-going internal conflict, the UNDOF Force Commander directed Medical Staff of position 80 to cater to local civilians in the area. The patient census has then dramatically increased averaging at 80-110 patients per day in the months of April and May and has dropped down to 40-60 patients per day in the months of June to August (Ramadan period). Medical activities include treatment and management of disease conditions starting from minor to acute and emergency cases. The present health care set-up of PhilBatt Medical Center in Position 80 was not designed to address clients in voluminous numbers, hence, the ingenuity, competence and prudency of the medical staff in terms of patient treatment and care as well as management of meager supplies under a heightened security risk condition was really put to test. Moreover, the non-availability of medicines and supplies to provide for the need of sudden influx of patients has add-up to the already seething problem. Much that the PhilBatt Medical personnel is willing to render their one hundred percent service regardless of the patient’s race, creed or religion however, they are still caught in a dilemma regarding the issue of impartiality as well working beyond the written mandate and to follow the task at hand as ordered by the Force Commander. SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

LESSONS LEARNED Uphold the Hippocratic Oath at all times especially when in a difficult decision of having to choose between the mandate and duty. One of the most effective way to manage threat is Civil Military Operations through “Medical Reach-In Program”. BRIEF BACKGROUND AREA OF OPERATION “I will maintain by all means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession… I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from its beginning even under threat and I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity…” CONCEPT OF OPERATION ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNED

Peacekeepers: Committed to Serve with Pride and Honor” “Professional Peacekeepers: Committed to Serve with Pride and Honor”

MABUHAY... LUNETA PARK, MANILA